a life of retreating in God's love through family, friends, quilting, and museum

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Wednesday - waiting

Ooops. Missed yesterday. Sick, tired, cranky....

Tuesday13 November

Prayer: Divine Healer, as I come to a time of worship and praise help me to focus not on my needs, or the needs of my family and friends but to wait for Your message to me.Help me to wait even if I must wait a long time for Your word to be revealed through Jesus the Lord of life. Amen.

Read St. Luke2: 36- 38

Anna was known as a devout widow, as a prophetess. She was one of only eight prophetesses known in the history of Israel, the others being Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah and Esther. Her great faith and devotion to God were known to all who entered the temple at that time. She was known for her prayers and her fasting as she longed to see the deliverance of God’s people. It has been suggested that she belonged to an order of widow, who had specific functions around the temple. There are still many godly widows active in our congregations-- people who meet for Bible Study, who work in hospitality, in making the newcomer feel at home, and in supporting the newly widowed as they move through their grief to living in the frightening period of being alone for the first time in many years. But Anna also had the gift of being one of the wise ones, the often unseen people in our congregations who see the hand of God, who know what to say and how to say it so that people are valued and affirmed in their walk with Christ. The next time you come to church look for the Anna’s, those who are always there, always doing whatever they can so that others may see the presence of God. Remember them and give thanks for that ministry.

Prayer: Great God, help me to give myself to the ministry of listening to Your Word, to put aside my own needs and desires that I may more effectively serve those who are in need. Amen.

Wednesday14 November

Prayer: May the Lord grant that we may be engaged in the mystery of His heavenly wisdom with a true increase of piety, for his glory and our edification. Amen. (Jean Calvin’s daily opening prayer for his lectures on the Bible)

ReadSt. Luke2: 39-40

This passage takes us from the prophetic message of the hope that this child would do something great for God -- that he would be a prophet, a healer, one to restore glory to the people of God, all of the unknown years are wrapped up in this short verses. In that world where only a few children lived to reach adulthood, we are given the assurance that the prophets were correct, Jesus did indeed grow strong in body, he became wise in the wisdom of mankind, and more importantly he became one on whom the favour of God rested.Luke is assuring the reader that God was working in the unknown moments. That God was working behind the scenes and in those times when nothing visible is happening, to grow the person he would need to change the world. Never forget that God is at work in your life as well bringing about a transformation into the person He needs you to be.

Where do you need to grow most as a follower of Christ? What goals are you working on to help you grow in that area?

Prayer: O God help us to know that when You seem to be silent there are indeedgreat things happening deep within the hearts and lives of Your people. Help us to find and maintain that balance of body, mind, and spirit that was in Christ and which Your church and world so desperately seek. Help us to grow in all aspect of our lives as followers of You. This we ask in Jesus’ name.Amen.

About Me

A 51 year old Presbyterian Quilter - Museum Volunteer who still loves to sing "Jesus loves me" at the top of my lungs.... much to our next wall neighbours aching ears :) . These daily devotionals are written to bring you the Good News and inspiration into your day. And sometimes there are comments about life in the Manse, quilting, and Museum :)